John Wallace Fay

John Wallace Fay, of Heaven, fell to Earth May 25, 1923, and had the dust brushed off May 6, 2013. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 pm Friday, May 10, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. Thomas Richter officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Thursday, May 9, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7:45 pm with a rosary to follow. John was known as "Wallace" to his father John Fay of Columbus, ND, and "Wally" by his mother Ella {Enochson} Fay. Many of his friends also knew him as John. His brother Dean and his sisters Helen Rae Schick and Jean Clifford preceded him in death. His brother Dan and sister Mary Powell survive him. He grew up during the Great Depression in Columbus, and of that historic time remembered the way people banded together and supported each other. He served in the Army in Europe during World War II as a sergeant in the 477 Medical Depot Company. Even though technically a support unit, they served close to the front and were involved in combat on numerous occasions. Upon returning after the War, Wally attended Minot State Teachers College and trained to be a mathematics teacher. But before he finished he became involved in the grocery business, and owned a small store in Minot. On June 14, 1947, he married Joan Emerson of Bowbells. They were inseparable until her death in October 2008. Together they raised five children, John, James, Joan Teri, Jerome Bill, and Deirdre. In 1956, Wally purchased a grocery store in Columbus and served that area for 10 years. Although he was very successfully financially, the burdens would have been overwhelming to anyone else. Not only was the store a large one for that time and place, but he also did all his own butchering and meat cutting. But he only knew how to do what had to be done, not how to avoid it or make it easier. In 1966, he realized that the area would soon not support two stores in Columbus, so he sold his to his former competitor, who had many successful years serving the shrinking economy of the area. Wally moved his family less John, who left for college that year to Minot, where he eventually became a representative of Investors Diversified Services, a life insurance and financial services company. In 1967, he again moved his family less another college student to Bismarck. In 1972, he began his career at the Bank of North Dakota, eventually becoming an Executive Vice-President. He did much innovative work in the field of bonds. One of his creations is the North Dakota Bond Bank. He was a faithful member of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Parish. He never missed Mass. Ever. In 2008, he and Joan were both in declining health, but insisted on maintaining their life together in their home. Then Joan fell, breaking her hip and shoulder. After treatment, she was released to the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison, and he went with her. Alzheimer's was affecting Wally by that time, and after Joan's passing in the fall of 2008, he remained at the Center, where he was cared for with love and respect. It became his home and the fine staff there became his family. Wally loved baseball and played it well. He shared as much of his time as he could with his family, who realized how precious it was. He taught his children much, including the necessity of hard work, honor and honesty, courtesy and integrity, and faith in God. We all miss him very much. He is survived by all five of his children; eight grandchildren, Thomas, John, Benet, Joseph Fay, Constance Fay, MeriCarol Shannon, Stephanie Storhaug and Ron Storhaug; two great-grandchildren, Zayne and Lilly Fay; and the neighbors and "angel" caregivers in the Sunflower Unit of Benedictine Living Center in Garrison.

John Wallace Fay

May 25, 1923 - May 6, 2013